Organochlorines are some of the chemicals found in most of the hundreds of tests of human body tissue - blood, adipose tissue, breastmilk - that have been conducted around the world. Because of their chemical structure, organochlorines break down slowly, build up in fatty tissues, and remain in our bodies for a long time.Pesticide residues on food are a major source of organochlorine exposure. In a recent analysis of organochlorine residues in the U.S. food supply, Pesticide Action Network found that even those chemicals that have been banned for decades are showing up consistently in food samples tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Chlordane- This has in the past been used in a wide range of agricultural purposes as well as for home and landscaping use. It is also a fact that this has been used in the past as a defense again in home termites. This chemical was banned by the EPA back in 1988 due to health issue that it caused .
DDT/DDE/DDD- This chemical has been in use since world war 2 and after that for the control of diseases as well as fro agricultural uses. Although it is still produced and used in many countries due to the concern about health issue the EPA banned this chemical in 1972 except for use of it in public health emergencies
Heptachlor- This chemical is used as an insecticide used on insect form termites to grasshoppers. Due to health issue the use of this chemical was cancelled in 1978. However, it is still used to control fire ant issues.
Lindane- This chemical is used as an insecticide for fruit and vegetable crops as well as forest crops. Although this chemical has not been produced in the country since 1977 it is still imported here it is also formulated here.
Mirex- This not only used as in insecticide but also as a fire retardant in plastics, paper, and electrical goods. Although it seems to have good uses the production of this chemical was stopped in 1978.
Human Health and Environmental
The effects the these Organochlorine pesticides have on human as well as animal health on topof the effects that they cause to the environment these chemicals are more of a burden then they are anything else.
Health
Chlordane- Acute exposure to chlordane can possibly cause neurological effects while long-term exposure can damage the liver, kidneys, and other internal organs. Significant immune system changes have also been reported by exposed workers. There is some evidence of carcinogenicity. Research has indicated that chlordane is an endocrine disruptor.
DDT/DDE/DDD- DDT is a possible human carcinogen; DDE and DDD are probable human carcinogens. DDT and its breakdown products are thought to be endocrine disruptors.
Heptachlor- Heptachlor is metabolised in animals to heptachlor epoxide, whose toxicity is similar to that of heptachlor. Both bind to animal fat. Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide are possible human carcinogens and are thought to be endocrine disruptors. At high levels or from chronic exposure, they can cause central nervous system and liver damage.
Mirex- Mirex is probably a carcinogen and is also thought to be an endocrine disruptor. It may cause damage to the skin, liver, nervous, and reproductive systems at high levels.
Lindane- Lindane may be a carcinogen, and is thought to be an endocrine disruptor. It can cause nervous system effects and pulmonary edema from short, acute exposures. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage, as well as various blood disorders.
Environment
Chlordane- The half-life of chlordane in soil has been reported to be from one to three years. Chlordane binds to aquatic sediments and bioconcentrates in the fat of organisms. It has been detected in the indoor air of residences in the U.S., probably from use against termites. This may be an important source of exposure to the U.S. population.
DDT/DDE/DDD- DDT binds to fat and will both bioconcentrate and biomagnify. It is present almost everywhere in the environment, and residues have been detected in the arctic. DDT breaks down into the related compounds, DDE and DDD, in the environment, DDT and the related compounds have a half life in soil of 10 to 15 years. DDT is highly toxic to birds and fish, and DDE and DDD are also toxic and persistent.
Heptachlor- The half life of heptachlor in temperate soil is up to two years. Heptachlor has been found in treated wastewater from industrial processes including coal mining, foundries, and nonferrous metals manufacturing. It has been detected in the blood of cattle in the U.S. and heptachlor has been strongly implicated in the decline of several wild bird populations.
Lindane- Lindane bioconcentrates slightly in fish and crustaceans. It can remain in the air for up to 17 weeks and travel for long distances. It is broken down quickly in water.
Mirex- rustaceans may be the most sensitive organisms to mirex. It can bioaccumulate and biomagnify and is very persistent, with a half life in soil of up to 10 years. It has been detected in arctic freshwater.
Economic/Political Impact
These chemicals being banned wouldn’t really effect America nor it’s citizen because these chemicals have been banned for a long time due to the health hazards that they present to people as well as to the environment. So looking at these facts I don’t think that the banning of these chemicals is much of a big deal. It’s obvious that another chemical has been made to replace these and they have not only proven to be better but safer to people as well as to the environment. The prices for these are about the same as the organocholrine pesticides. I think the American as well as the other countries are really effected by this.
Summary
Organochlorines are some of the chemicals found in most of the hundreds of tests of human body tissue - blood, adipose tissue, breastmilk - that have been conducted around the world. Organochlorine pesticides have on human as well as animal health on topof the effects that they cause to the environment these chemicals are more of a burden then they are anything else. . Organochlorine pesticides being banned wouldn’t really effect America nor it’s citizen because these chemicals have been banned for a long time due to the health hazards that they present to people as well as to the environment.
Table of Contents
ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES
• Chlordane,
• DDT/DDE/DDD,
• Heptachlor
• Lindane
• Mirex
Background
Organochlorines are some of the chemicals found in most of the hundreds of tests of human body tissue - blood, adipose tissue, breastmilk - that have been conducted around the world. Because of their chemical structure, organochlorines break down slowly, build up in fatty tissues, and remain in our bodies for a long time.Pesticide residues on food are a major source of organochlorine exposure. In a recent analysis of organochlorine residues in the U.S. food supply, Pesticide Action Network found that even those chemicals that have been banned for decades are showing up consistently in food samples tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Chlordane- This has in the past been used in a wide range of agricultural purposes as well as for home and landscaping use. It is also a fact that this has been used in the past as a defense again in home termites. This chemical was banned by the EPA back in 1988 due to health issue that it caused .
DDT/DDE/DDD- This chemical has been in use since world war 2 and after that for the control of diseases as well as fro agricultural uses. Although it is still produced and used in many countries due to the concern about health issue the EPA banned this chemical in 1972 except for use of it in public health emergencies
Heptachlor- This chemical is used as an insecticide used on insect form termites to grasshoppers. Due to health issue the use of this chemical was cancelled in 1978. However, it is still used to control fire ant issues.
Lindane- This chemical is used as an insecticide for fruit and vegetable crops as well as forest crops. Although this chemical has not been produced in the country since 1977 it is still imported here it is also formulated here.
Mirex- This not only used as in insecticide but also as a fire retardant in plastics, paper, and electrical goods. Although it seems to have good uses the production of this chemical was stopped in 1978.
Human Health and Environmental
The effects the these Organochlorine pesticides have on human as well as animal health on topof the effects that they cause to the environment these chemicals are more of a burden then they are anything else.
Health
Chlordane- Acute exposure to chlordane can possibly cause neurological effects while long-term exposure can damage the liver, kidneys, and other internal organs. Significant immune system changes have also been reported by exposed workers. There is some evidence of carcinogenicity. Research has indicated that chlordane is an endocrine disruptor.
DDT/DDE/DDD- DDT is a possible human carcinogen; DDE and DDD are probable human carcinogens. DDT and its breakdown products are thought to be endocrine disruptors.
Heptachlor- Heptachlor is metabolised in animals to heptachlor epoxide, whose toxicity is similar to that of heptachlor. Both bind to animal fat. Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide are possible human carcinogens and are thought to be endocrine disruptors. At high levels or from chronic exposure, they can cause central nervous system and liver damage.
Mirex- Mirex is probably a carcinogen and is also thought to be an endocrine disruptor. It may cause damage to the skin, liver, nervous, and reproductive systems at high levels.
Lindane- Lindane may be a carcinogen, and is thought to be an endocrine disruptor. It can cause nervous system effects and pulmonary edema from short, acute exposures. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage, as well as various blood disorders.
Environment
Chlordane- The half-life of chlordane in soil has been reported to be from one to three years. Chlordane binds to aquatic sediments and bioconcentrates in the fat of organisms. It has been detected in the indoor air of residences in the U.S., probably from use against termites. This may be an important source of exposure to the U.S. population.
DDT/DDE/DDD- DDT binds to fat and will both bioconcentrate and biomagnify. It is present almost everywhere in the environment, and residues have been detected in the arctic. DDT breaks down into the related compounds, DDE and DDD, in the environment, DDT and the related compounds have a half life in soil of 10 to 15 years. DDT is highly toxic to birds and fish, and DDE and DDD are also toxic and persistent.
Heptachlor- The half life of heptachlor in temperate soil is up to two years. Heptachlor has been found in treated wastewater from industrial processes including coal mining, foundries, and nonferrous metals manufacturing. It has been detected in the blood of cattle in the U.S. and heptachlor has been strongly implicated in the decline of several wild bird populations.
Lindane- Lindane bioconcentrates slightly in fish and crustaceans. It can remain in the air for up to 17 weeks and travel for long distances. It is broken down quickly in water.
Mirex- rustaceans may be the most sensitive organisms to mirex. It can bioaccumulate and biomagnify and is very persistent, with a half life in soil of up to 10 years. It has been detected in arctic freshwater.
Economic/Political Impact
These chemicals being banned wouldn’t really effect America nor it’s citizen because these chemicals have been banned for a long time due to the health hazards that they present to people as well as to the environment. So looking at these facts I don’t think that the banning of these chemicals is much of a big deal. It’s obvious that another chemical has been made to replace these and they have not only proven to be better but safer to people as well as to the environment. The prices for these are about the same as the organocholrine pesticides. I think the American as well as the other countries are really effected by this.
Summary
Organochlorines are some of the chemicals found in most of the hundreds of tests of human body tissue - blood, adipose tissue, breastmilk - that have been conducted around the world. Organochlorine pesticides have on human as well as animal health on topof the effects that they cause to the environment these chemicals are more of a burden then they are anything else. . Organochlorine pesticides being banned wouldn’t really effect America nor it’s citizen because these chemicals have been banned for a long time due to the health hazards that they present to people as well as to the environment.